Program Overview

GW’s Educational Leadership and Administration program has garnered national recognition from the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and is nationally accredited and recognized as a program of distinction by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Three programs of study are available: A Master of Arts in Education and Human Development, a Post-Master’s Certificate and an Education Specialist degree.

The programs have been designed for the working professional in the K-12 arena and diverse school communities interested in various school-based and central office leadership and supervisory positions, increased responsibility in teaching, and advanced levels of professional responsibility.

Each program has been designed to meet the required credits, courses, and field experiences that are part of the administrative licensure process in the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Virginia, and many other states. Graduates are prepared for positions of assistant principal, principal and instructional supervision.

The post-master’s certificate program in educational leadership and administration is designed for individuals who have teaching credentials, hold a master's degree from an accredited institution and are seeking licensure in administration in order to be qualified for a position as assistant principal, principal or central office supervisor. The program is designed to give prospects with masters’ degrees a second option for licensure.Program faculty members are scholars, authors and experienced former principals, superintendents or state educational officers who bring expertise to the classroom. They make the challenges faced by educational administrators in today’s society come alive.

Admission Requirements

Admission deadlines:

Fall – April 1

Spring – October 1

Summer – March 1

Standardized tests:

M.A. Ed.H.D. and Certificate: Standardized tests not required.

Ed.S.: Either the GRE general test (institutional code 5246) or the Miller Analogies Test (institutional code 1047) is required. This requirement is waived for applicants pursuing a second doctoral degree, provided the first doctoral degree was conferred by an accredited institution of higher learning.

Recommendations required:

Two (2) recommendations from an academic instructor/advisor or someone who can speak of your academic abilities.

Prior academic records:

Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.

Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by an official transcript evaluation from an accredited independent evaluating agency. Please be sure you request a detailed evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grade-point average (GPA), United States degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral. For a list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services.

Statement of purpose:

In an essay of 250 to 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at The George Washington University, describing your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned in the application. Doctoral candidates are expected to write a more comprehensive essay of 750 to 1,200 words. In addition to the guidelines stated above, you should clearly indicate your primary and supporting fields of study and describe your research areas.

Additional requirements:

A resumé and an interview with a program advisor are required.

International applicants only:

Please review International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements.